Can I Borrow a Dollar?

After being featured in The Source magazine’s Unsigned Hype column in 1991, 19-year-old Chicago rapper Common Sense signed a deal with Relativity Records and released his debut album, Can I Borrow a Dollar?, on October 6, 1992. The album was supported by the singles “Take It EZ,” “Breaker 1/9,” and the Thump Mix for “Soul By the Pound.”

The album only peaked at #70 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and none of the singles were a breakout hit. Despite not being recognized from the mainstream, Common was praised for his soulful production and amazing lyricism, with many saying that the album was a driving force for Chicago hip-hop.